'Huge blow.' Meshita
Shalit campaign headquarters chairman resigns
'Negotiations for captive soldier's release have not advanced one millimeter,' Brigadier General (res.) Meshita says, adding 'previous government missed opportunities to bring him home'
Brigadier General (res.) Hezi Meshita, chairman of the headquarters for the campaign for Gilad Shalit, announced his resignation on Wednesday, after just eight months in the post.
Meshita told Ynet he would continue to struggle for Shalit's freedom from within the headquarters, and expressed hope that the captive soldier's release was near.
Nonetheless, he said, in the past four months "the negotiations have not advanced one millimeter". Shimshon Libman, a resident of Mitzpe Hila, is slated to take over the role.
According to Meshita, Israel was close to returning Shalit towards the end of former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's term about four months ago, when the Shalit family camped outside the PM's Office in Jerusalem.
"The failure to bring Shalit home at that time was a huge blow, both the family itself and to the campaign headquarters," he said.
"The previous government missed a number of opportunities to bring Shalit home. As a military man, I'm aware of the price. But under the circumstances that had been created, I believe that Gilad could have been brought home. The process should not have been stopped just because a new government was established. I believe with all my heart that the government can do more to bring him back.
"Every day in captivity is hell for Gilad, his family and all those who love him," he said.
Noam Shalit, the captive's father, said in response to the resignation that "Meshita has given all of his time and heart for Gilad. His activity helped gain broad support for the cause among the Israeli public and among the country's decision makers."
Gilad Shalit was kidnapped into Gaza on June 25, 2006.
